There's a reason why DeRozan never gets any call from the officials

[JasonS]

He needs lessons from Vince Carter, just drive, don't settle for these leaning double pump jump shots at the end of regulation.

[Rapstor4Life]

Meh not concerned Demar will turn it around. I honestly believe that him going to another team would be a uge mistake.

[TheGloveinRapsUniform]

Tough to say (glad I'm not running this team). But I might be more inclined to find a PG through the draft.

Fair enough.

[Nilanka]

Very true. So with all this to account for, would it be worth it to see what he can do next year, without Calderon?

Shoot, sorry for making this into a Lowry thread.

But going back to the OP, Id package Demar rather than Lowry.

Tough to say (glad I'm not running this team). But I might be more inclined to find a PG through the draft.

[TheGloveinRapsUniform]

No, no....just acknowledging that we might get better pieces for him today, than 12 months from now.

Personally, I'm torn on Lowry. When he's played well, he's played REALLY well (but as a #1 option in an Allen Iverson type role). I'm not sure if that's the type of PG I want when building a team from scratch.

On the other hand, he pretty much had to take on that Iverson role since we have very few other weapons on this roster.

Very true. So with all this to account for, would it be worth it to see what he can do next year, without Calderon?

Shoot, sorry for making this into a Lowry thread.

But going back to the OP, Id package Demar rather than Lowry.

[TheGloveinRapsUniform]

I would at least explore the option and find out what his trade value is, both alone and as part of a package. His defense hasn't looked much better than Calderon's, his offense has been inconsistent and his attitude at times has appeared to be Bayless-esque. Plus, he's a shoot-first PG, which isn't my personal prefence in a starting PG, so I'm biased right off the bat.

Oh i agree, of course if we can get an upgrade then by all means

But i think it has more to do with role definition. im feeling he's still confused as to what his role is on this team. to facilitate, score, etc. At times i think he's opting to pass rather that shoot fearing he's going to get subbed out by Calderon. I was watching the Sixers game against the Spurs, and one timeout Collins pulled Jrue aside and said something to the effect of, its time for you to take over, youre a superstar in this league, this is your team now, do what it takes. seriously, i was teary eyed, gay as it may sound but that was a moment. Lowry's at the stage of his career where a coach needs to defined what his role is. everybody knows how good he is, he needs to be put in the right spot.

[CalgaryRapsFan]

You think they should get rid of him now?

It could also be a domino-effect type of position.

Say the Raps look at trading Bargnani and/or Calderon to the Lakers or to Minnesota (either direct or 3-way with Lakers), for example. It's very likely that one/both of those teams would like to unload a PG in return (Blake/Duhon from LA, Ridnour likely from MIN).

The Raps could then look to trade Lowry in a seperate deal to address a weakness at another position (ie: SF), if they think that the PG(s) coming back in the Bargnani/Calderon deal would be adequate enough to act as a stop-gap solution for a year or two.

That's why it's tricky looking at any single trade in a vacuum, especially if there are many moving parts on multiple ongoing possible trade fronts.

[mcHAPPY]

No, no....just acknowledging that we might get better pieces for him today, than 12 months from now.

Personally, I'm torn on Lowry. When he's played well, he's played REALLY well (but as a #1 option in an Allen Iverson type role). I'm not sure if that's the type of PG I want when building a team from scratch.

On the other hand, he pretty much had to take on that Iverson role since we have very few other weapons on this roster.

Ditto.

[mcHAPPY]

You think they should get rid of him now?

Like anyone on any team that depends on the return.

There are going to be some decent experienced PG's on the market this summer that should be available for fairly cheap (assuming BC is not handing out the contract). Then it should be considered that there are 3-4 promising PG's in the draft.

Outside of JV and Ross, Lowry is the only current Raptor to give me pause on what to do with.

[Nilanka]

You think they should get rid of him now?

No, no....just acknowledging that we might get better pieces for him today, than 12 months from now.

Personally, I'm torn on Lowry. When he's played well, he's played REALLY well (but as a #1 option in an Allen Iverson type role). I'm not sure if that's the type of PG I want when building a team from scratch.

On the other hand, he pretty much had to take on that Iverson role since we have very few other weapons on this roster.

[CalgaryRapsFan]

You think they should get rid of him now?

I would at least explore the option and find out what his trade value is, both alone and as part of a package. His defense hasn't looked much better than Calderon's, his offense has been inconsistent and his attitude at times has appeared to be Bayless-esque. Plus, he's a shoot-first PG, which isn't my personal prefence in a starting PG, so I'm biased right off the bat.

[TheGloveinRapsUniform]

Next year might be too late for Lowry. He'd be more valuable now because he still has 1.5 years left on a cheap contract.

Come next year's trade deadline, Lowry's a few months away from a big pay raise.

You think they should get rid of him now?

[Nilanka]

I was just kidding. i dont think i can handle another full on rebuild. Id keep JV, Ross as well. Davis, depends. The way he's improved this year, i think he can still improve further and add more to his game. I used to think his ceiling was Amir, but now, he may potentially be somewhat of a Duncan type player. Lanky, with a good perimeter shot but also slithery down low. I said depends because if he's not playing alongside a strong SF who can pull the double team away from him, i dont think it will work.

Im still hoping Lowry rounds up to form as well. He gets a free pass this year being injured most of last year and coming to a struggling team with no roles defined and no identity is a difficult situation to adjust to. Plus the fact that he's new, and he's dealing with 4-5 players who are new to the team as well. Ill save my judgement for next year.

Next year might be too late for Lowry. He'd be more valuable now because he still has 1.5 years left on a cheap contract.

Come next year's trade deadline, Lowry's a few months away from a big pay raise.

[TheGloveinRapsUniform]

I was shouting "YES! YES! YES! FINALLY!!!" at my TV when DeRozan went to the rim weakly at the end of the 4th quarter and Jack said "You have to take it at the guy and dunk it on his head!"



Seriously... at this point, despite the recent improvements, I would be 100% behind a sped-up re-build/re-tooling using everybody on the roster other than Valanciunas, Ross and Davis.

Bargnani - I've supported him for years, but he and the Raptors need a divorce

DeRozan - has shown no real, sustained improvements in his drive finishing, 3pt shooting or defense

Calderon - 31 year old on an expiring contract; asset management (try to sign him in the offseason)

Lowry - scoring & defense were both overrated; he has way more value before he signs a new deal

Anderson - 30 year old sharpshooter on min-contract could help playoff team; not in long-term plans

Pietrus - see Anderson

Kleiza - if not traded, can you say "amnesty"?

Gray/Lucas/Acy - filler

Fields - could be a good glue guy on an improved team, plus his contract & injury concern likely make him untradeable

Amir - still think Davis makes him redundant, but a PF rotation of Davis/Amir on an improved team wouldn't be horrible

I was just kidding. i dont think i can handle another full on rebuild. Id keep JV, Ross as well. Davis, depends. The way he's improved this year, i think he can still improve further and add more to his game. I used to think his ceiling was Amir, but now, he may potentially be somewhat of a Duncan type player. Lanky, with a good perimeter shot but also slithery down low. I said depends because if he's not playing alongside a strong SF who can pull the double team away from him, i dont think it will work.

Im still hoping Lowry rounds up to form as well. He gets a free pass this year being injured most of last year and coming to a struggling team with no roles defined and no identity is a difficult situation to adjust to. Plus the fact that he's new, and he's dealing with 4-5 players who are new to the team as well. Ill save my judgement for next year.

[CalgaryRapsFan]

I agree with everything, but I'd also be inclined to part ways with Davis. I think he's playing above his abilities right now, and putting up good numbers because of how thin our front court rotation is. His stock seems to be higher than it's ever been, which makes it the perfect time to cash in.

Very true. I just think the expected return for him would be much higher than the rest of the players, so he's sort of on a tier between Valanciunas/Ross and the rest.